New EC says cost of Presidential Election Rs. 4.5 b

• Commission holds inaugural meeting  
• Last Presidential Poll costs less than estimated
• Costs reduced from estimated Rs. 7 b to Rs. 4.56 b

The newly-appointed Election Commission, which held its inaugural meeting yesterday, said that the cost of last November’s Presidential Election had reduced from the estimated Rs. 7 billion to Rs 4.56 billion.

The Commission said that the cost of conducting the election was reduced due to proper management of monies allocated for holding the poll.

The newly-appointed five-member EC is headed by Nimal G. Punchihewa who has served as the Commission’s Legal Adviser for several years while its other members are M.M. Mohamed, S.B. Divaratne, Jeevan Thyagarajah and K.P.P. Pathirana.

During the meeting, the Commission also decided to inform the Minister of Public Service, Provincial Councils and Local Government to fill the vacancies that remain in local authorities.